The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP), afterschool providers, and families across North Carolina are relieved that the funding for 2025-2026 21st Century Community Learning Center afterschool and summer programs is set for release on Monday, July 21. These funds were part of the $6.8 billion in education dollars delayed by the Office […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Approves New Board Members and Advisory Board Members
RALEIGH, NC (July 18, 2025) – At its June 2025 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Public School Forum of North Carolina approved several new Directors and At-Large Advisors for two-year terms that officially begin July 1, 2025. “I’m immensely excited to begin my tenure by welcoming the newest members of the Public School […]
Ann W. McColl to Serve as Interim President and Executive Director of the Public School Forum of North Carolina
With great enthusiasm the Public School Forum Board of Directors announces the appointment of Ann W. McColl as Interim President and Executive Director of the Forum effective July 1. Ann brings a distinguished history of leadership, innovation and advocacy within public education in North Carolina. She is currently serving as President and Founder of Let […]
A Toolkit for Tomorrow’s Teachers and Today’s Realities
Last month heralded the commencement season for colleges and universities across North Carolina. Within the class of 2025 are graduates who will be the state’s next generation of classroom teachers. These individuals have been trained to design organized and well-planned classrooms while delivering content instruction. These newly minted teachers will likely spend their summer working […]
NC Center for Resilience & Learning Releases Toolkit for Educator Preparation Programs
RALEIGH, NC (May 29, 2025) – The North Carolina Center for Resilience & Learning is proud to announce the release of the Education Preparation Programs Trauma-Informed Practices Toolkit, designed specifically for educator preparation programs across North Carolina. The toolkits include tailored resources for teacher, school counselor and school administrator preparation programs designed to help institutions […]
Dr. Mary Ann Wolf to Conclude Her Tenure as Executive Director of the Public School Forum of NC
Raleigh, NC (May 23, 2025) – It is with deep appreciation and respect that the Board of Directors of the Public School Forum announces the departure of our esteemed Executive Director, Dr. Mary Ann Wolf, effective June 30, 2025. This marks a bittersweet moment for the organization as it celebrates her profound impact and prepares […]
What the Department of Education Meant for My Public School Years
The U. S. Department of Education is a necessity. While the current federal administration may not agree, I’ve seen first-hand as a public school student how the Department of Education plays an extremely important role in student success across public schools and post-secondary education. Since the Department of Education Act was signed and enacted over […]
We Knew What Worked. We Still Do: The Fight to Reclaim Public Education for the Public Good
“We’re seeing a lot more folks that are leaving the classroom mid-year…a lot of kind of comings and goings,” said Erin Horne, assistant dean at NC State, in a recent interview with WRAL. And she’s right: Teaching is becoming increasingly unattractive. According to a 2023 report on teacher recruitment and retention trends in North Carolina, […]
Honoring the Legacy of John Dornan, The Forum’s Founding Executive Director
John N. Dornan, the founding executive director of the Public School Forum of North Carolina and an extremely important figure in North Carolina public education, passed away on March 27, 2025. While The Forum mourns his passing, we celebrate his life-long dedication to ensuring that every child in North Carolina had access to a high-quality […]
Public School Forum Releases 2025 Local School Finance Study
RALEIGH, NC (March 28, 2025) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina’s 2025 Local School Finance Study is now available. Through this study, The Forum has highlighted variations and trends in local spending for public education across our state’s 100 counties for over 30 years. The purpose of this annual study is to isolate […]
Public School Forum of NC Response to Executive Order to Dismantle The U.S. Department Of Education
Making sure children have strong local public schools is part of the American promise. It is in our national interest to strengthen public schools and bring together children, families, and educators in a shared space of learning and growth. President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) this week threatens that promise and is a direct threat to […]
Call for Student Artists
The Public School Forum of North Carolina is seeking talented high school student artists to create original artwork celebrating our 40th anniversary. This is a paid opportunity for creative students to contribute their voices to materials that will be shared with our audiences across the state both digitally and in print throughout 2025 and 2026. […]
NC Bring Your Legislator to School Day is now NC Legislators in Schools Week
RALEIGH, NC (March 7, 2025)- After two successful years of strengthening connections between North Carolina’s local public schools and lawmakers, Bring Your Legislator to School Day is expanding to become North Carolina Legislators in Schools Week. During the week of April 7 members of the North Carolina General Assembly will visit schools in their communities […]
Potential Executive Order to Dismantle the Department of Education
According to various reports, President Trump will likely soon issue an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. This is a threat to the future of public education nationwide and therefore a threat to the future of our children nationwide. While the full legal and practical implications of such an action remain unclear, the […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina to Honor Mebane Rash and Tom Oxholm at the 2025 Jay Robinson Education Leadership Gala
RALEIGH, NC (February 7, 2025)- The Public School Forum of North Carolina will honor Mebane Rash and Tom Oxholm at the 2025 Jay Robinson Education Leadership Award Gala on Thursday, May 1 at the Angus Barn Pavilion in Raleigh. This year’s gala marks the beginning of the Public School Forum’s 40th Anniversary Year with this […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Statement on Federal Policy Changes Impacting Education
As a nonpartisan organization, the Public School Forum of North Carolina has maintained only one bias since our founding nearly 40 years ago: we believe in the value of public education for every child, regardless of their identity, background, or any other factor. We understand that education is a powerful tool that is vital to […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Shares 2025-26 Top Education Issues at Eggs & Issues Breakfast
RALEIGH, NC (January 28, 2025) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina shared the 2025-26 Top Education Issues today during the tenth Eggs & Issues breakfast event. The Top Education Issues brief outlines the Forum’s priorities for what should be at the forefront of education policy decision-making in the coming legislative biennium to ensure […]
The Cold Truth About Schools Without Heat
Across Wake County this week, parents (myself included) scrambled to find transportation and care for children who were sent home from at least eight schools over two days that let out early for a lack of heat. No heat…for our KIDS??? Understandably exasperated, parents and community members pointed fingers in many directions: the school board, […]
Private School Vouchers are Unpopular, Failed Policy
On November 5th, voters in three states rejected private school voucher measures on their ballots. A majority (58 percent) of voters in Nebraska chose to repeal a recently passed voucher law. In Colorado, 55 percent voted against a proposed constitutional amendment to “establish a right to school choice.” And in Kentucky, Amendment 2, which would […]
2024 General Election Results
This week Americans selected the next set of leaders who will make the decisions that shape the coming years for our communities, our state, and our country. Though this may feel like the end of a years-long marathon, now is actually time for the work to begin. The voters have spoken, and now it is […]
Local Public Schools Are on the Ballot in Nearly Every Race
Regardless of the election results, North Carolina will have a new Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Treasurer, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction in January. And, every single state senator and representative is up for re-election this year. This is among the many other very important races, including judgeships, county commissioners, and local school board […]
North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs Honors 2024 Afterschool Champions During 25th Annual Lights On Afterschool Celebration
RALEIGH, NC (October 27, 2023)– The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs hosted a Lights On Afterschool reception on October 25 at the North Carolina Executive Mansion as part of the 25th annual national Lights On Afterschool campaign. The annual nationwide campaign celebrates afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families […]
2024 Impact Report
Our 2024 Impact Report demonstrates how The Forum continued our key role of informing education stakeholders throughout 2024 via presentations, trainings, the Education Policy Fellowship Program, e-newsletters, Education Matters, and publications.
North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Candidates Participate in Final Debate Hosted by Public School Forum
RALEIGH, NC (October 15, 2024) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina held the final debate between North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction candidates, Michele Morrow and Mo Green on October 14, in Southern Pines, NC. The debate was moderated by North Carolina Leadership Forum co-chairs, John Hood and Sen. Leslie Winner. This year’s […]